There are many ways to do a floor but the vast majority of homeowners put down a plain pattern like oak or a whole floor of one type of tile. It looks great but juts by adding a few accents here and there, or a swath of another type of flooring the area can assume a grandiose appearance.
Mixed Hardwood
This is an inexpensive but effective way to present a room as both rustic and classic. Flooring companies offer a mixture of red oak, white oak, ash, walnut, Brazilian cherry or other woods.
Borders
Borders made of a contrasting wood effectively frame a room or area. By installing a light-colored wood such as clear maple might as a border to a darker species of wood such as walnut would make the flooring a show piece instead of something that is taken for granted.
Central Design or Medallion
In many homes with grand entrance ways a mosaic-style design forms the focal point of the room. This can be as simple as a compass with four points to a coat-of-arms. In addition the design can be made from a different material like tile or stone. Some medallions come pre-made with the parts glued onto a mesh. This is then glued or stapled to the subfloor and then grouted. Other medallions are made from small wood pieces which are polished and finished with main flooring to hive a continuity.
Paint Design
An inexpensive way to create a border or medallion is by painting it on. If the process is done carefully there can be as striking a picture as if the design was created from tile or exotic woods.
Mixed Flooring
An incredible floor can be created by mixing wood with tile, marble, granite, slate and even stainless-steel. The designs can be square or sweeping.
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